General Letter 71: Supporting Agency Purchasing Flexibility
DAS Procurement understands the importance of empowering CT executive branch agencies to serve the public efficiently and responsibly. That’s why we’ve updated General Letter 71 (GL71) to give agencies more flexibility in purchasing goods and services—while still maintaining important standards and safeguards.
Effective July 1, 2025, the new GL71 replaces the previous version dated August 1, 2019. This update continues our commitment to transparency, accountability, and efficiency in state procurement, while helping agencies meet their operational needs in a timely and cost-effective way.
What’s New in GL71?
GL71 delegates authority to executive branch agencies, allowing them to purchase goods and services up to $100,000 without going through a DAS contract. This limited delegation helps reduce delays and allows agencies to act quickly when needed.
However, this authority comes with a few important guardrails:
- Check for a contract first: Agencies must always check CTsource to ensure a DAS contract doesn’t already exist for the goods or services they need.
- Limits apply: GL71 does not authorize purchases related to real estate, PSA/POS service agreements, public utilities, or interagency transfers.
- Emergency flexibility: Agencies can make minor or emergency purchases up to $25,000 without formal bids, provided performance is completed within a year.
Keeping It Accountable
Even with this increased flexibility, oversight and transparency remain a priority. Agencies must adhere to the following practices when making purchases under GL71:
- Competitive Bidding: When possible, agencies should seek at least three written bids for purchases over $25,000.
- Use of Contracts: All purchases over $25,000 must be documented using the appropriate agency form contract template.
- Recordkeeping: Agencies must maintain documentation for all purchases in accordance with state records retention policies.
- Posting Requirements: Contracts must be posted to the State Contracting Portal CTsource to ensure visibility and compliance.
- IT Purchases: All IT-related purchases require approval from BITS before moving forward.
Why This Matters
GL71 gives agencies the tools they need to meet pressing needs, respond to emergencies, and serve their communities—while still upholding state procurement laws and policies. It strikes a balance between efficiency and accountability.
DAS remains committed to supporting agencies in their procurement efforts. We are here to provide guidance, ensure compliance, and offer the resources needed to make the most of this delegated authority.
Need More Information?
Take a look at our website. You can also send an email to das.procurement@ct.gov.
